So yesterday, July 19th was my twenty second birthday. (Yes, I had Taylor Swift's song 22 ready to play when the clock struck midnight!) I've been trying to rack my brain for a birthday themed blog post idea for weeks, but couldn't come up with that I liked, or had time to write up, until I started actually reflecting on my past twenty two years of life and what I've done, and what I've learnt along the way.

Today I thought I would share with you twenty two things I've learnt in my twenty two years, and hopefully you all might be able to learn something new about me, about yourself and most likely will be able to apply some of these things into your own life. Enjoy!

1. Everyone has their flaws, even your best friend, your boy/girlfriend and your idol,  don't expect them to be perfect
2. Understand the difference between constructive criticism and being straight up negative
3. Go for that job, that promotion; try those things that you think you're not good enough to do, you might surprise yourself!
4. Live music is one of the best experiences, if you have a chance to see your favourite musician perform, do whatever you can to see them!
5. Take photos; memories last longer when they've been captured and you can look back at them
6. Keep a diary planner, writing things on the back of your hand nto only looks gross but also isn't very efficient organising
7. Don't dwell on the past, move on and learn from yours or others' mistakes
8. Don't change yourself to impress the "cool kids", someone will love you for you
9. Ask that question you've been dying to know during class, chances are someone else wants to know the same thing but are just as nervous to speak up as you are
10. Push yourself to make conversation when you're shy, you might just make a new best friend!
11. Understand the difference between joking and bullying; never stand for the latter
12. Showering and taking baths does wonders for the soul, not just your skin
13. It may not seem like it at the time, but crying is good for you, let out those emotions
14. Reach out for help if you're struggling
15. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health
16. Don't expect someone to realise you're upset when you haven't told them, we're not all mind readers
17. Never sleep on an argument
18. What you may hate about yourself, those moles or your laugh, there will be someone out there who absolutely adores it
19. You don't need a new outfit for every occasion, re-wear what you have, nobody cares as much as you think, and it will save you money
20. If it doesn't work out straight away, it doesn't mean that it never will
21. Always be thankful, for the tangible and the intangible
22. Everything will be okay in the end, if it's not okay then it's not the end